tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12256352685359671752017-04-16T06:52:06.044-04:00The Life and Times of Mrs. blimesOne mom on a mission to inspire and enable other moms to change lives for the better!Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.comBlogger550125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-21733367412349152532016-08-10T22:10:00.000-04:002016-08-11T11:51:27.824-04:00Willy Winkey is the actual worst. <div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-subohFZ5A34/V6ye_i5ap8I/AAAAAAAAHj4/VkzCcpxCSnk/I/photo_927590.jpg" border="0" class="bloggoimg"></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No one warned me just how extensive this mom gig really is. Like, people could DIE if I fall down on the job.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today alone I rescued a 5 year old from strangulation by elastic head band, stopped a toddler from drinking windex, AND taught my 2nd grader all about decapitation and how to avoid it.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I mean, not to be too cocky but I'm basically a frickin hero.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Right now it's 9:44pm and I'm stuck in the kids bed between the biggest and the middlest while the babyest is in the family room on a YouTube bender. WHY do kids love watching homemade movies of other kids playing with toys!!??&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bedtime is my least favorite, and most favorite, time as a mama.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All day I look so forward to it (once they're down I'll finally get a moment of peace/get to chat with hubbs/sneak into the candy stash...) and then, every night it takes at LEAST an hour. The teeth brushing, books, snacks and potty breaks... &nbsp;yelling, begging, bartering and crying... Finally threatening to take away their kindles and/or cause them bodily harm via wooden spoon... By the time it's over I'm ready to give up on life.&nbsp;</span></font><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wonder a lot if I'm the only mom who finds the everyday basics of momming to be extraordinarily difficult.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But at the same time, it's only at bedtime that these wild, ferocious beasts turn into leechy little snuggle suckers and attach themselves to me at any body part available. And boy will they TALK to me at bedtime. They spill allllll the beans. If you want to know about my boys' lives, just hang around past 9pm. That's when all the juicy confessions start to flow. I know who likes who, who's a stupid jerk hole, and who's really scared of freaking Freddy Fazzbeery. (Geez! Whoever created that bear has a REALLY hard punch in the tit coming their way.)</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then, slowly but surely the chatter begins to fade and their tiny bodies start to heat up. Man they are some sweaty pigs when they sleep! But man I soak it UP. Those moments when they're freshly asleep, barely drifting into dreams. When they smile, laugh and talk a little in their sleep. It's the best.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bedtime is my most favorite time as a mama.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The only thing that comes close to topping the kids bedtime is that wonderful moment when it's finally MY bedtime. A quick bath, hubby's old tee shirt, beat the cracker crumbs and popcorn kernels out of my side of the bed with a pillow, hit play on The Office, &nbsp;and it is ON. &nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mmmmmm. I can hear that sexy pillow calling my name right now.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Xoxo,</span></font></div><div><font face="-webkit-standard"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">M<br><br>&nbsp;</span></font></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-61895391388368111292016-08-10T13:41:00.001-04:002016-08-10T13:42:18.382-04:00Sugar Cone Turrets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyRtvpGlL4k/V6tnVuTvQSI/AAAAAAAAHiQ/hothpJtwPKsyG0Afl68K-Kb9xnji6ix3gCLcB/s1600/IMG_5540%2B%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyRtvpGlL4k/V6tnVuTvQSI/AAAAAAAAHiQ/hothpJtwPKsyG0Afl68K-Kb9xnji6ix3gCLcB/s400/IMG_5540%2B%25282%2529.PNG" width="305" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">I was riding my bright orange bike down the quiet, still streets of our suburban neighborhood.&nbsp; Pedaling as fast as my newly &nbsp;eight year old legs could go, relishing the wind whipping through my dishwater blonde hair.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">It was my birthday. And I was taking a ride to pass the time until my party.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">Mama always made sure that birthdays in our home were extraordinarily special. We’d spend the weeks prior to the big day pouring over the Wilson's cake decorating book, carefully selecting which sugar laden masterpiece would be the chosen one that year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">For this day we’d chosen a princess castle. Pink frosting all over with sugar cone turrets. &nbsp;Mama crafted icing maidens and a candy mote. The kitchen was filled with pink streamers and balloons. The table lined with gifts. Mama had a way of creating magic out of thin air. When she believed in you, anything really was possible.&nbsp; &nbsp;It was incredible. And I was happy.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">I don’t have many crystal clear memories from my childhood but that bike ride stands out. I felt as light as air. Like anything in the world was possible. &nbsp;&nbsp;I zig zagged my bike up and down the road, singing to myself, happy and free.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">Nothing could touch me.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">I didn’t know it then but that day would be the last of my care free ones. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">The last time I <i>knew </i>that mama could make everything better. The last time I'd believe that magic was real. That bike ride, the feeling of flying, free as a bird. I remember it like yesterday. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">Maybe there’s a reason the memory is so strong. Maybe that was God’s tender mercy for my eight year old spirit. After all, He knew what was coming. He sent me here to go through it, to learn from it. To survive it. And maybe, to light the way for others.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />xoxo,<br />M</div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-60304128633435700682013-08-15T15:18:00.000-04:002013-08-15T15:18:00.452-04:00the one with no pictures that I wrote a week and a half ago. go me.<span id="goog_7283918"></span><span id="goog_7283919"></span><br /><br />I just came home from the most amazing girls weekend get-a-way in Texas.<br /><br />Oliver talking is the cutest thing in the world.<br /><br />Miles knows way more about phonics than I realized.<br /><br />Husband will be home with us every Monday and Thursday starting next week! ( Tele-commuting: Another reason to love his new job.)<br /><br />I've had a nice month long break from school and almost forgotten what ambition/drive/motivation to learn new things feels like. So basically I am really happy school starts again soon.<br /><br />More changes are heading our way and we are doing our best to keep up with this crazy life.<br /><br />We are well though. Things are busy and many nights we all pass out in a filthy house with bellies full of one shameful fast food or another but we are together and most nights happy about it. I am feeling very subdued writing today. Must be the quiet house or the nostalgia that always hits when I dig into this old blog. I don't miss it the way I used to but think of it often. I am learning that there simply isn't time for all the things you want to do each day...week...month... But that's okay. This is a very short, very intense season in my life and I am doing my best. The people I am closet to appreciate my efforts and I love them for it.<br /><br />It is a lovely lovely life.<br /><br />M<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-86901798589948615932013-06-18T02:18:00.000-04:002013-06-18T02:18:01.694-04:00change...love...equality...insomnia.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgIzAunI-tw/Ub_woJ6957I/AAAAAAAAFBM/dh9h9DsFa3c/s1600/537414_10151571667076133_539280613_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgIzAunI-tw/Ub_woJ6957I/AAAAAAAAFBM/dh9h9DsFa3c/s320/537414_10151571667076133_539280613_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to see everyone and do everything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wish I had infinite time, resources, and energy to devote to all the socializing I am dying to do with friends and family. I miss you all! Thank goodness for social media.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is late.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am awake and the house is still. The only sounds I hear are the frogs in the backyard, the air conditioner's gentle hum, and husband's steady breath. That man. I love him so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a funny thing how the middle of the night makes you feel more honest. Well, that's the case for me at least. I remember before Drew and I were actually dating, I was living far away and we would talk on the phone literally all night long every single night and once it got past a certain time of night we would call it "honest time." That was when we told each other things. Real things that couldn't be spoken in the light of day. If you want to really know someone, stay up all night talking with them. At some point in the night everything just starts spilling out and if you're lucky and the magic happens (and I think it will) the next morning you somehow feel safer than you ever have before. Like someone out there knows you. Your whole story. And when there is something new to write, you know they will be the one you go to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who are you telling your story to?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tonight in my insomniac state I have been sifting through memories past on the ole facebook page. My how things have changed in these past few years. I am different. Yes, very much so. But the change I see when comparing old me with new me is a good one. And that makes me happy. I have definitely made mistakes. Big ones at times but I have learned from them and I have moved on. I don't feel responsible for others feelings the way I used to. Empathetic yes, responsible? Absolutely not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;I continue to see plenty of room to grow and many ways I need to be better. But that's a list for another day. I reread a blog post tonight where I was talking about how marriage should be between a man and a woman only. It made me so sad. I know that Heavenly Father has absolutely concrete commandments on what should and should not go on sexually and what not. I understand that. But I also know that He values our agency so much that He made it an indispensable part of His plan. We are free to choose. So my struggle is, why should my beliefs about marriage and commandments and what not dictate whether or not two people in love should be able to be wed? My answer is it shouldn't. It's not up to me to tell anyone what they can and cannot do unless they are harming me or my loved ones. And in my opinion, two people in love, getting married, having babies doesn't harm me or my family one bit.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I sat wondering why I didn't feel that way when I wrote about the subject two years ago and the simple answer is that I just didn't take any time to think about how I really felt about it. I did my same old la dee da give the answer that I know everyone wants to hear. But I am so happy that today I am no longer that girl. And that today that is NOT the answer everyone wants to hear. I am still not a huge fan of confrontation but I'd rather have to debate with someone and be uncomfortable than just smile and nod my way through life. It is amazing how freeing it can be to sit, study, ponder and form your own opinion. Knowing is half the battle right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This post has taken a turn. Oh well, equal rights is never a bad topic to write on after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have wandered too far from the point and am finding it extremely difficult to make it back... More proof that I'll never be a novelist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So things have changed as they always do but you know what? The most important things are steady as ever. My family is my whole life. Being Drew's wife is still my favorite thing to do. My kids are wild as can be but I love them ferociously. I am still afraid of so many things (another list for another day), still excited for things, still hopeful for a tomorrow that was even better than the sweetness today held.&nbsp;</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Life is so incredible in the most beautifully mixed up ways sometimes. It's good, it's bad, happy, sad, the best, and the worst all at once.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's hoping your tomorrow is filled with smiles. And that I can fall asleep now for the love!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-30861408343683646612013-06-11T00:18:00.002-04:002013-06-11T00:18:38.433-04:00new post.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMkXe-BJc0k/Ubak-IwOFEI/AAAAAAAAFA4/SNpFOLTdF0I/s1600/377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMkXe-BJc0k/Ubak-IwOFEI/AAAAAAAAFA4/SNpFOLTdF0I/s400/377.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't even say how many times lately I have clicked that "new post" button only to delete the whole thing or get distracted a couple paragraphs in. Sigh. Sitting down long enough to write is difficult these days and I miss it. I know I have been saying that since Baby Brother was born but it's still true.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of the big guy, he is SO adorable these days. He is in the middle of his language explosion and all of his new words are cute and mixed &nbsp;up in the most wonderful ways.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">His favorite song is Witch Doctor by Alvin and the Chipmunks and he requests it like this "Ooh Ah Ah?" Or sometimes "Ooh Ah Ah Bang Bang?" Adorable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">His favorite food is those little travel yogurt tubes. Gogurt. He calls them "tubes."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When he doesn't want or like something he says "Uh uh" before he says it... "Uh uh mommy bye bye." "Uh uh Daddy take." Aah it is SO cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He just pieces his llittle sentences together in the cutest possible ways.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thunder is "Boom Boom"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Miles' name sounds like mommy when he says it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dog is "Wow wow"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Any bird is a "Peep peep"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Water is "Awa" He is trying to say the spanish word for water lol His best friend speaks spanish.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lizard is "bite" (The first time he held a lizard it bit him)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Car is "broom"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I really need to start writing down all the cute things he says because I can never remember when I am sitting down to write. But trust me when I say he is absolutely adorable.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He starts gymnastics this wednesday and he is so excited to get to go "bye bye" with his big brother. he wants to do every single thing Miles does. :0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Things are good here. Busy but good. I am seven hours from completing my internship for my major coursework so that is a huge weight lifted and just three weeks from this crazy summer semester ending! Hello two months of freedom! I only take two classes a term so I still have a year and a half til I get the old diploma and I am already sad that it's the beginning of the end. I.Love.School. Seriously NEVER thought I would be able to say that but it's true. It just makes me so much better. A better version of myself I guess is what I am trying to say. I am constantly learning something new. A new way of thinking, a different perspective to view situations through. Learning that just because it's what I always thought does NOT make it correct. That everyone has their very own version of "correct" and that is MORE than okay. In fact it is fabulous!It has all been very.... eye opening. La la love it. I highly recommend furthering your education!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Annnyway, my darling is away on business so I am trying to wait to go to bed until I can barely keep my eyes open. The big bed is very empty without him and sleeping alone kinda freaks me out. We all know how much I loathe guns and all the misery that comes with them but on nights like this I understand why people feel the need to have them in their homes. For us personally it isn't worth the risk but I totally get where they are coming from. Like, what would I do if someone busted in? My plan is to grab the kids and escape out the back door. Or out their window if need be. Maybe I'll sleep in clothes tonight just in case. Even if I had a gun though, it would be of no use to me really. Because it would be locked away in a safe with the bullets in a different safe in a completely different part of the house (for obvious safety reasons) so what would I do? "Oh, hang on Mr. Criminal Guy, let me just run and grab my AK5900 or whatever they heck people blast each other with these days." Yes, it seems the best plan for us is to arm the security system and be prepared to flee if necessary. I remember sleeping with a knife under my pillow in college. Ah the good ole days.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow this post has really become a rambler. I must be getting tired after all.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Off to bed with me. Surely a safe and peaceful nights rest awaits us all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fG04TANIOc/Ubak-Izs1pI/AAAAAAAAFA0/GyCpW7ezHUU/s1600/392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fG04TANIOc/Ubak-Izs1pI/AAAAAAAAFA0/GyCpW7ezHUU/s320/392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-47951142287320190662013-05-28T15:18:00.001-04:002013-05-28T15:18:16.457-04:00ghosts and glamour.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CX-eUEacmhk/UaUCq3wMuJI/AAAAAAAAFAg/DDNu-ydiy4A/s1600/IMG_5857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CX-eUEacmhk/UaUCq3wMuJI/AAAAAAAAFAg/DDNu-ydiy4A/s400/IMG_5857.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>To steal my heart...<div><br /></div><div>Answer my call when I really need you.</div><div>Offer me hugs, kind critiques, and true friendship.</div><div>Help my children see something wonderful in the world.</div><div>Tell me I'm beautiful.</div><div>Watch ridiculous TV with me.</div><div>Listen to me cry/whine/worry without judgement.</div><div>Accept me even though you may not agree with me.</div><div>Smile and laugh with me.</div><div>BE REAL. (This one especially.)</div><div>Come forth from my womb. (Sorry, only a couple of you can pull that off.)</div><div>Teach me.</div><div>Make me laugh so hard no sound comes out.</div><div>Give me advice. Your best advice. The words of wisdom you treasure up for a stormy day.</div><div>Eat with me. If you love food, I probably already love you.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am SO grateful for friends and family near and far that have stolen my heart in so many different ways.</div><div><br /></div><div>Feeling blessed, understood and accepted,</div><div>M</div><div><br /></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-48370850920057725042013-05-26T21:08:00.002-04:002013-05-26T21:11:57.044-04:002.3.4.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rc4iVhC3zzQ/UaKxKbEzquI/AAAAAAAAE_4/tyDyqLIX_rQ/s1600/267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rc4iVhC3zzQ/UaKxKbEzquI/AAAAAAAAE_4/tyDyqLIX_rQ/s320/267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I don't do this enough anymore. Or ever really.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I started crying listening to a country song today. And all the time these days.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I am completely done-zo with my two boys for the day and Drew is coaxing them to sleep after a major mommy meltdown in which I gave both boys permission to do whatever they want, eat whatever they want, go to bed never, and be the bosses of their own little lives. Miles was in full blown happy dance by the end of my tirade. Sometimes I am the very.worst.mom.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you tell yet what this post is trying so very hard not to be about???</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ugh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am off my OCD medication again. On again off again... Baby three or no baby three.... Now or later???? Or never??? When I am taking my&nbsp;medicine&nbsp;regularly it not only helps with my compulsive tendencies, but also brings a healthy dose of the happy-go-lucky with it and I don't hate that one bit. But the problem is that you can't take it while pregnant. Now, we aren't "trying" or anything and I am definitely not pregnant but &nbsp;I am starting to feel like it's nearing the time to get this baby show on the road if the trip is gonna happen. The other problem is that when I am on the medication I feel confident, capable, and even a little excited about the&nbsp;prospect&nbsp;of another little Blimes. But when I am NOT on the meds (which I can't be if I want to get pregnant) I feel like handling my own issues and the two children I already have is more than enough/too much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I question what this mean? Does the fact that I feel the need to be medicated to survive motherhood mean I shouldn't even be thinking of another babe? (No idea...) Would I be on the meds whether I had kids or not? (Most likely... yes.) Is Drew getting tired of this conversation over and over again? (Surprisingly no. Or at least he doesn't let on if he does. Again, I married a hero.) So many questions. So many different paths the story could take. Life is really, really hard sometimes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9f4yCieOvxo/UaKxQR0yDMI/AAAAAAAAFAA/7VCaEl0lOeg/s1600/281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9f4yCieOvxo/UaKxQR0yDMI/AAAAAAAAFAA/7VCaEl0lOeg/s320/281.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you love how I go months without posting and then come up in here with some serious, life shifting madness. Real, real, real, I have to keep it real. (There's a catchy tune there.) It's nice to have a place to do so. And with such a diverse readership to glean insight from. Sigh&nbsp;social&nbsp;media buddies. I love your guts.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a bajillion details of our lives waiting to explode onto this little blog. I don't want to post a novel tonight though and my house is looking like a landfill. It is getting scary up in here for real.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Suffice it to say, a post needed to be written and as often is the case, I am writing to my favorite advise columnists- you all. Any mothers out there willing to share their similar struggles? Any sage words of wisdom to comfort a soldier on the front lines?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miss you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWLsv5WFlHY/UaKxUhGoqOI/AAAAAAAAFAI/a-dDDllQdQU/s1600/285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWLsv5WFlHY/UaKxUhGoqOI/AAAAAAAAFAI/a-dDDllQdQU/s320/285.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (A mother warrior like no other. ILY Mama.)Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-14824252907054743032013-04-10T13:21:00.000-04:002013-04-10T13:21:02.194-04:00small victories.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFkRQfya7dA/UWWeEtKZYiI/AAAAAAAAE_E/21p4k96ZZJM/s1600/625419_10151591091101133_1282237190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFkRQfya7dA/UWWeEtKZYiI/AAAAAAAAE_E/21p4k96ZZJM/s400/625419_10151591091101133_1282237190_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have seen improvements. Big ones since my last post related to my first born and his spirited ways. Long term readers and those close to me know that I am nothing if not honest here and the night I wrote that I just HAD to let it all out. I thank you all for your love, understanding and suggestions. As I promised myself I would, I deleted the post after a few hours. I am glad so many of you found it a comfort to know you are not alone in the struggle with parenting a strong willed child. It helps me to know it too. Social media. It can be so very very good. Thank you friends for reminding me that above all Miles loves me dearly and I love him. That really is the whole point right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The night of the post I midnight dialed a friend and just cried and cried to her. She, as she always is, was perfectly calming, understanding, uplifting. I honestly have no idea what I would do without her. I hung up the call knowing all would be well somehow, someday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since then I have seen small positive changes in my son. His "I love you's" came back. He started playing our "I Love You More Than..." game again. How I have missed that. He picks me flowers in the yard and on walks. He is hitting much less and he will stay in time out many of the times he's sent there without running away. He is trying and I am grateful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We definitely continue to have our moments of&nbsp;willfulness&nbsp; defiance, battles, tantrums, and all of the other things I went on&nbsp;about&nbsp;in my post but right now we are moving in the right direction. I just have to keep up the energy to be what he needs me to be. And&nbsp;some days&nbsp;I am positive that I am not cut out for it. But Heavenly Father sent this&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;boy to me. I was chosen to mother him. And I will not give up on him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you all again, so much for your advice,&nbsp;encouragement, and hands on help (you know who you are). I love you. Having family and friends as wonderful as you all makes everything seem much more possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPBvIii-lr8/UWWe2e1gPvI/AAAAAAAAE_M/gtPQ0LiaAaY/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPBvIii-lr8/UWWe2e1gPvI/AAAAAAAAE_M/gtPQ0LiaAaY/s320/IMG_0152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-6716261621026027662013-04-03T23:37:00.001-04:002013-04-03T23:37:57.348-04:00cover me.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6WmEap5b-M/UVz0VTHYVoI/AAAAAAAAE-k/t7IEd9M1gLY/s1600/IMG_4639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6WmEap5b-M/UVz0VTHYVoI/AAAAAAAAE-k/t7IEd9M1gLY/s320/IMG_4639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So you left me a letter.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">And just spying it hidden away there in the TV/music stand brought me to tears. You were leaving for a few days for work and you knew that I would be sad when we said good bye. The day and night before you left were the worst in a long long time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I held back tears as we hugged goodbye in the driveway. I couldn't hold on too long or too tight because six children were attempting the great escape.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"You should go inside and watch some TV or something."</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I can't do that with all the kids here."</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Well, you should. Just go in and watch some TV or turn on some music."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I walked back inside the TV cabinet was baby proofed shut. I opened it to find the love you left behind for me.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How do you always know just what to do,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">what to say to chase my crazy away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Your letter was loving, supportive, and funny.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just like you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot believe how blessed I am.</div><div style="text-align: center;">How blessed we are to have found one another.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You're right you know?</div><div style="text-align: center;">We really don't need&nbsp;anything&nbsp;but each other and our little family to be happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the boy you were when we met.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the man you have become.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love growing up with you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Working hard to become the people we dreamed of being.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for loving me every&nbsp;single&nbsp;day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for never letting me doubt for one second that you know me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Need me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Want me near.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is something very special about you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I plan on keeping it all to myself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you and miss you like crazy,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLKqdwTlLoo/UVz0wpPEcyI/AAAAAAAAE-0/tnbTj3fRbDw/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLKqdwTlLoo/UVz0wpPEcyI/AAAAAAAAE-0/tnbTj3fRbDw/s400/IMG_4051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-79813536010601990202013-04-03T22:01:00.003-04:002013-04-03T22:01:36.317-04:00happy birthday two you.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uerPFwk20oA/UVzemhseoZI/AAAAAAAAE-U/G-DjFL5OQ3U/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uerPFwk20oA/UVzemhseoZI/AAAAAAAAE-U/G-DjFL5OQ3U/s400/IMG_3611.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh how I treasure you sweet boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are two now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Birthday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You make my days so happy and my dreams sweet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mommy</div><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-6809538999458548682013-03-28T23:29:00.000-04:002016-04-15T22:02:01.643-04:00birthday girl.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXCXYf1rHSo/UVR5PaTKn-I/AAAAAAAAE9M/UKjDp7xWBFM/s1600/07410756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXCXYf1rHSo/UVR5PaTKn-I/AAAAAAAAE9M/UKjDp7xWBFM/s400/07410756.JPG" width="400"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you birthday girl.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">This morning you surprised me with a delicious cake.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And you sang Happy Birthday dear daughter.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know if you noticed but I had to work hard not to cry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are so wonderful at mothering me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">I continue to be amazed at your capacity to love me no matter what.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You loved me when I was literally crawling out of my skin crazy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I disrespected you in teenage angst.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I moved away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And when I came right back.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You love me through my liberal ranting,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and my sub par housekeeping.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">You have never let me feel less than.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Never allowed me for one second to wonder if I was special, or beautiful,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">or wanted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You were meant to be my mother.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And you have been perfect at it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">You always have a smile to share,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a story to tell,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">a warm embrace for a weary soul.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">You make the world around you shine a little brighter.</div><div style="text-align: center;">People and animals are drawn to your light.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They want to tell you everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just like I always did.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And still do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">You refuse to be sunk.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even when everything goes so so wrong.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You never give up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">You think of others before yourself.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Always ready with a helping hand&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">or a word of advice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">You are kind.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">And so beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I am so very thankful to be your daughter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday Mama,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNSxHGQ4CUE/UVR3qhGprlI/AAAAAAAAE80/Z2wXtaNLMzs/s1600/100_2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNSxHGQ4CUE/UVR3qhGprlI/AAAAAAAAE80/Z2wXtaNLMzs/s400/100_2086.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsbIs9HampE/UVR4D_FOxbI/AAAAAAAAE9E/cN8Sga6qKg0/s1600/IMG_1789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsbIs9HampE/UVR4D_FOxbI/AAAAAAAAE9E/cN8Sga6qKg0/s400/IMG_1789.jpg" width="266"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IUfUkXMzuM/UVR5P8N7OdI/AAAAAAAAE9U/yScWfL4_NV8/s1600/100_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IUfUkXMzuM/UVR5P8N7OdI/AAAAAAAAE9U/yScWfL4_NV8/s400/100_0452.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2e2c07lhtR0/UVR5Qi_DnLI/AAAAAAAAE9c/bjJGUQROQ94/s1600/100_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2e2c07lhtR0/UVR5Qi_DnLI/AAAAAAAAE9c/bjJGUQROQ94/s400/100_0899.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8iHWRHsx7vo/UVR5RWZZtII/AAAAAAAAE9s/vC6jhrkyGrA/s1600/10971166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8iHWRHsx7vo/UVR5RWZZtII/AAAAAAAAE9s/vC6jhrkyGrA/s400/10971166.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nHKq9KEAio/UVR5RFvSrlI/AAAAAAAAE9w/IGG0P49ovqY/s1600/100_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nHKq9KEAio/UVR5RFvSrlI/AAAAAAAAE9w/IGG0P49ovqY/s400/100_1187.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xon62j7YPf4/UVR5Rump3lI/AAAAAAAAE90/VvDrUTJcJ0o/s1600/12821291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xon62j7YPf4/UVR5Rump3lI/AAAAAAAAE90/VvDrUTJcJ0o/s400/12821291.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWCv5Ue5fbs/UVR5SUrI_2I/AAAAAAAAE-A/CNJhzD6ywf4/s1600/HPIM0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWCv5Ue5fbs/UVR5SUrI_2I/AAAAAAAAE-A/CNJhzD6ywf4/s400/HPIM0642.JPG" width="400"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><br>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-43721155481961512402013-03-08T00:00:00.000-05:002013-03-08T00:00:31.440-05:00me.mine.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icwOjyJVM_E/UTlsJ03_wsI/AAAAAAAAE7c/m5aBxHlX1kI/s1600/637A8331e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icwOjyJVM_E/UTlsJ03_wsI/AAAAAAAAE7c/m5aBxHlX1kI/s400/637A8331e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Family Photos by<a href="http://birdwellphotography.com/"> Elizabeth Birdwell Photography</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last Friday night I fell asleep with a smile spread all the way across my face.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It had been a really really great night.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Drew and I had our usual Friday night date (thank you again to our amazing babysitter) and we returned home with happy tummies to a clean house with sleeping children. (Like I said, amazing sitter.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had gone to Miller's. It's one of our favorites here in Tally and from the time we set foot out the door we were laughing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Being married to a funny guy is the BEST ever.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">I highly recommend it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you are single, you should make "non-funny" a deal breaker ladies.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, the night just made me thankful once more for the man I married.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That kind, silly, perfectly suited-for-me-and-all-my-crazy husband of mine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As Drew and I were in bed that night Miles called out to us from the hallway. "Hello? Is anybody there?" Turns out, he was awoken by what he thought was a chainsaw. Ummmm... Yeah, I have NO idea but it was pretty hilarious (maybe ya had to be there. Yeah you did.) and it kinda just made the night that much more perfect. After that he curled up between us and was in his sugary sweet sleepy state. Oh sleepy Miles is the very best Miles. He says cute things and wants to be held and hugs you back and returns "I love you's" I. Love. Sleepy. Miles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwuTZA65Sjo/UTlsKxdiSbI/AAAAAAAAE7o/DMr89_Py5FM/s1600/637A8613e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwuTZA65Sjo/UTlsKxdiSbI/AAAAAAAAE7o/DMr89_Py5FM/s400/637A8613e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to always remember lying there cuddled up tight with my husband and my sweet baby, with my other precious little lamb just feet away and the overwhelming love and joy that filled up every space in my heart. Family really is the most precious gift. I am so thankful and humbled that Heaven has blessed me with the incredible souls I share my life with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So thankful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A while back I was chatting with a beautiful older sister at church. She was recently returned from an overseas mission with her husband and was holding one of her sweet&nbsp;grand babies&nbsp; I asked her if it's true that having grandchildren is even better than having your own children. She answered in a way different than any other grandmother I'd asked this question of and her response comes to my mind very often.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">So often.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">She told me that grandchildren are a tremendous blessing and a source of pure joy. But she added that in all her life, her sweetest, most precious memories are of the days when her children were all small and she would lay in bed at night knowing that they were all there together. All her babies safe in their beds. Everyone under one roof. Together. A family.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so grateful for her perspective and the wisdom she shared that helps me remember to slow down and savor and appreciate these hectic, crazy days of young motherhood.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After all, family is kinda the whole point of...well everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeH69wAuAWU/UTlsL9oqBvI/AAAAAAAAE7w/JHYZr4oXcXA/s1600/637A8656e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WeH69wAuAWU/UTlsL9oqBvI/AAAAAAAAE7w/JHYZr4oXcXA/s400/637A8656e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And it really is the best ever.</div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div><br /></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-79831837205621144902013-03-01T13:59:00.001-05:002013-03-01T13:59:14.640-05:00of rants and rambles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14oaANCM_d0/UTD4tOOOTwI/AAAAAAAAE7E/reG5JAF1Y5A/s1600/HPIM1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14oaANCM_d0/UTD4tOOOTwI/AAAAAAAAE7E/reG5JAF1Y5A/s400/HPIM1428.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Because&nbsp;they make me smile.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Things are good. Graduation is ever creeping nearer. Masters programs are tickling my brain. Me? Yeah right. But maybe... Just maybe... I honestly never thought I'd be finishing my BA but that is happening so I guess you never know. I truly enjoy school. It is one thing I do just for me. I mean, in the long run it will benefit my family financially and all but the&nbsp;learning&nbsp;part of it is just so refreshing for me. It feels great to be sponging up the knowledge left and right. I was skypeing with my&nbsp;adviser&nbsp;last night and she kept mentioning how I'm&nbsp;practically&nbsp;finished with the major. WHAT!?! It reeeeally is within reach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My calling at church has been a source of tremendous blessings already. I honestly feel like I am growing in the gospel again. What a beautiful thing that is. I find myself wanting to sit down and read the words of the prophets and actually taking the time to search my scriptures. Why didn't I do these things more often before? Either way I am grateful for the boost of motivation and a&nbsp;re- energized&nbsp;spirit. So so thankful for the gospel. The girls are completely fabulous and have been so sweet and welcoming. I can tell I am going to enjoy this calling. I love it already.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drew is rounding out his final semester as an MBA student. As of May my baby will be on the done-zo list! Go baby go! You can do it you can do it!!!! He and I don't see a whole lot of each other but we are making the most of our moments and we just started planning our 8 year anniversary trip to NYC! Wheeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So far it looks like lots of good food (thanks Rand), a little Wicked, and seeing the sights in the big city. Yes. Time away together is much needed after finishing up his MBA program. He has worked very hard for 2.5 years and it is allllllmost time to celebrate!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oliver is officially weaned and I HATE it. And he HATES it. If I could go back in time I would give less of a crap what people had to say about it and follow my instincts. I thought "Oh he'll sleep better once he's weaned. Oh, he'll start talking more if I cut him off. He's getting too big anyway. Blah, blah, blah." Boo I say. Boo. He is the&nbsp;grouchiest&nbsp;beast in the world every time he wakes up. He cries and screams and begs for his "boo boo." It is sad and I wish I had just let him nurse until he weaned himself.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are upsides to that story but right now I am venting so I'm only writing the boo hoos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amelia stop talking to me while I'm trying to blog. ;0) (j/k you know you can sit and talk to me all day everyday)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, my girl is here now so I'm gonna get my adult interaction on.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">JK again. She went to sleep. How rachet. bahahahahahahahahahahaha</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One last bit of happy before I go.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's my birthday month!!!! I'm going to be 30! What!?! I judt don't even know what to say about it yet so we'll just leave it at that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eSzGzAlREQ/UTD6ItA7IxI/AAAAAAAAE7M/U0x7apHWbZs/s1600/702046_10151432309151133_1948986139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eSzGzAlREQ/UTD6ItA7IxI/AAAAAAAAE7M/U0x7apHWbZs/s400/702046_10151432309151133_1948986139_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Because she's awesome and she's sleeping on my love seat.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-38191292810775396102013-02-22T23:41:00.001-05:002013-02-22T23:41:18.691-05:00little worlds.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Because I don't want to forget one second of how perfect you two are to me. Just as you are.</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9I0mhkJSyc/UShF_tamp1I/AAAAAAAAE5E/5yzQ2iKiDfA/s1600/565860_10151384491111133_19800979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9I0mhkJSyc/UShF_tamp1I/AAAAAAAAE5E/5yzQ2iKiDfA/s400/565860_10151384491111133_19800979_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEI44ZPmkOA/UShGBUO2y5I/AAAAAAAAE5k/F93eQU6FuQ4/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEI44ZPmkOA/UShGBUO2y5I/AAAAAAAAE5k/F93eQU6FuQ4/s400/IMG_3629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Big guy:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUtozJZb7Po/UShGCd8BJSI/AAAAAAAAE6A/n_4JbMB3VwM/s1600/IMG_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUtozJZb7Po/UShGCd8BJSI/AAAAAAAAE6A/n_4JbMB3VwM/s400/IMG_3636.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love&nbsp;the&nbsp;way you smell like cinnamon and strawberries all day long from your oatmeal mixed with yogurt in the&nbsp;mornings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way you crawl into my bed in the middle of the night and squish as close as possible to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that you still want me to hold you even though you are my big big four year old.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way you have freckles only one one side of your sweet face. Your perfect perfect sweet face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that you say your prayers now without being asked. You know He is there and you are&nbsp;beginning&nbsp;to count on Him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to listen to you making plans big and small. I hope one day you live them. Every last one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love your tricks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Your dancing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Your early morning sweetness.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the pictures you draw and the way you are learning how to spell everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way you love to play outdoors and get muddy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You are everything a mother could hope for in a baby boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope I tell you enough.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You are still my baby.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And you always will be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TalHUFjNUL0/UShGB_GiNrI/AAAAAAAAE5w/G19AOLXMi3A/s1600/IMG_3873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TalHUFjNUL0/UShGB_GiNrI/AAAAAAAAE5w/G19AOLXMi3A/s400/IMG_3873.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And to you sweet baby brother...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CiZOnsNtFs/UShGAcLYMjI/AAAAAAAAE5M/7aWxm1YzTN0/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CiZOnsNtFs/UShGAcLYMjI/AAAAAAAAE5M/7aWxm1YzTN0/s400/IMG_3537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love your happy happy face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You are my smiley, silly little buddy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so happy to be your mommy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love your voice.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The way you say "Wha?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The way you say "Pez Mama. Pez Dada. Bye Bye. Bapple. Yay" (that one means yes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way you smile so sweetly as you're falling asleep. I am happy that you have good things to think of as you drift away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love chasing you around our house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is so easy and wonderful to make you laugh baby.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love your squishy baby booty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The way you say "Hot" anytime anything hurts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way you sing the wheels on the bus. And Johnny works with one hammer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You Love music.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love it when you help me unload the dishwasher. Standing in the door, handing me every dish you can reach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The way you laugh maniacally when you find a knife or an apple peeler.. anything dangerous really.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love when you help me sort laundry and you call out "Mama. Dada." as you find clothes that belong to each of us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hm-_zdmQFLY/UShGACXzA_I/AAAAAAAAE5U/avYau41YKAw/s1600/702648_10151441240586133_2089522215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hm-_zdmQFLY/UShGACXzA_I/AAAAAAAAE5U/avYau41YKAw/s400/702648_10151441240586133_2089522215_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffbaKNy7BCc/UShGAZ_IAiI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/KyB_ucfr9oc/s1600/IMG_2488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffbaKNy7BCc/UShGAZ_IAiI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/KyB_ucfr9oc/s400/IMG_2488.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you boys. You light up my life. And your Daddy is quite crazy about you too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mommy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpp2qETrRWQ/UShF_r7jM-I/AAAAAAAAE48/7UenFMsggxc/s1600/556535_10151439187796133_342793789_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpp2qETrRWQ/UShF_r7jM-I/AAAAAAAAE48/7UenFMsggxc/s400/556535_10151439187796133_342793789_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-12701261369208942732013-01-25T14:28:00.000-05:002013-01-25T14:28:53.235-05:00in case you ever wonder...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECAFkgStABU/UQLbU0OBiiI/AAAAAAAAE3o/QARpJ6Q54c8/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECAFkgStABU/UQLbU0OBiiI/AAAAAAAAE3o/QARpJ6Q54c8/s400/IMG_3611.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">January can NOT end quickly enough here. We have been SICK SICK SICK pretty much all month long. And Husband came home from work barfing again today. It. Needs. To. End. The kids have been puking/suffering with&nbsp;diarrhea&nbsp;on and off for weeks and I have been dealing with my own brand of sickness as well. UGH. If any of us catch whatever it is Drew has today I am going to FREAK out. Like, for real.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtqzIBFybFs/UQLbVqRipRI/AAAAAAAAE34/mmgWlWJkgcg/s1600/IMG_3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtqzIBFybFs/UQLbVqRipRI/AAAAAAAAE34/mmgWlWJkgcg/s400/IMG_3690.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aside from the whole of my family blorching all month long, we have been up to some fun things as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miles celebrated his birthday party at the park with TONS of awesome friends. Thanks again for celebrating with us guys. My mom made such a cool cake for his party and he received so many nice gifts.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlK71h9VncM/UQLbU1P6lSI/AAAAAAAAE3s/bBQ4u3Yi6dE/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlK71h9VncM/UQLbU1P6lSI/AAAAAAAAE3s/bBQ4u3Yi6dE/s400/IMG_3672.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drew's family is so incredible guys. When we went down to Tampa before Christmas they threw Miles a surprise birthday party and it made us so so happy. It was even a surprise to me! There were delicious cookie dough cupcakes (you don't even understand how scrumptious&nbsp;these things were), sweet monster truck gifts and lots of cute cousins singing Happy Birthday.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Heart warming.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oliver has decided it's time to smash head first into the tantrum phase of life. And I mean he has it perfected. His tantrums are loud, long and frequent. It can really start to grate on the nerves after about, oh... twenty seconds or so. Without the toddler freak outs though, he is a really funny and cool little kid. I kinda love him a whole lot. He is juuuuust starting to really babble and do the so so cute baby jibber jabber. He says a few actual words but not many. I am excited because I know one day very soon his language is just going to erupt and it is going to be so awesome.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZhRJwwpWDo/UQLbVPOTUWI/AAAAAAAAE3w/OEIO22fMGWY/s1600/IMG_3605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZhRJwwpWDo/UQLbVPOTUWI/AAAAAAAAE3w/OEIO22fMGWY/s400/IMG_3605.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drew is surviving his last semester, though he has horrendous senior-itis. He only has to make it 3 more months. You can do it babe!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am taking another couple of very interesting classes this term. I think all my classes from here on out will be very interesting to me though so that's good. I'm in Stress and Resilience and Child Guidance. I LOVE reading about how to better prepare to work with children and all the different ways families cope with stress and crisis. I wish I could take full-time classes and get finished sooner but alas, tis not in the cards for me. It's gonna be a long, slow road.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wn7OuX4K5DU/UQLbWPMmIII/AAAAAAAAE4E/cH7CORZShzI/s1600/IMG_3861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wn7OuX4K5DU/UQLbWPMmIII/AAAAAAAAE4E/cH7CORZShzI/s400/IMG_3861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am SO enjoying my calling in Young Women. The girls are seriously rock stars. They make me laugh and give me so much hope for the rising generation. If more people could see what I see every Sunday there would be much less talk of doom and gloom about. I am excited to (hopefully) influence them in positive directions and help them realize their beautiful potential as daughters of God. They have already inspired me in so many wonderful ways, I hope I can reciprocate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4pVZHRa5DU0/UQLbWJzjvAI/AAAAAAAAE4A/029kETPXT_U/s1600/IMG_3846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4pVZHRa5DU0/UQLbWJzjvAI/AAAAAAAAE4A/029kETPXT_U/s400/IMG_3846.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, that's what's up with us lately. Life in a nutshell. I am feeling hopeful for a great year ahead and a few heavy burdens have been lifted just in the last week. God is good. That's all I am going to say on that for now. He is SO so good.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy weekending,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-60352378304978632402013-01-23T23:42:00.000-05:002013-01-23T23:42:22.474-05:00thinking about thinking about thinking and being sleepy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcU7ciDLTtM/UQC6omVd3OI/AAAAAAAAE20/jOlmEfc1vzQ/s1600/IMG_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcU7ciDLTtM/UQC6omVd3OI/AAAAAAAAE20/jOlmEfc1vzQ/s400/IMG_3636.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />I love the quiet peace of a sleeping house.<br />A house, that when it wakes is filled to overflowing with kisses and smiles and laughter.<br />(And farting, tantrums, dirty dishes and mood swings but for now, let's just go with the kisses and stuff)<br />I am so happy with the little family Heaven has seen to bless me with. When I look at them, and how they love me so. Despite all my imperfections. I know I must be doing at least a little something right.<br />I am so far from perfect.<br />Everyday I do or say something I wish I didn't. Every. Single. Day.<br />I am so thankful to have someone who cared enough to help me do it better tomorrow.<br />Someone who sees me for who I truly am.<br />Who knows my name.<br />Who always listens when I call. Even when it's been a while and there's that awkward... "So...long time no talk..."<br />He doesn't mind that I'm not perfect.<br />That's actually kinda the whole point.<br />I am His work in progress.<br />I know He loves me.<br />And I know he cares about even the silliest, mundane detail of my small small life here.<br />He created that life after all.<br />I want to live to make Him proud.<br />To make Him smile when He thinks of me.<br />I want to fall asleep every night knowing I did my very best.<br />I want the same for you.<br />And I know He does too.<br />He lives.<br />He loves us.<br />Every. Single. One.<br /><br />M<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcGZErxzY2s/UQC6-OeHS-I/AAAAAAAAE28/d2HvfJoY5ZM/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcGZErxzY2s/UQC6-OeHS-I/AAAAAAAAE28/d2HvfJoY5ZM/s400/IMG_2884.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-78709840641820600452013-01-18T00:05:00.000-05:002013-01-18T00:05:33.666-05:00sun.love.favorites.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7a3PFPPPCs/UPjXVSX_eLI/AAAAAAAAE2A/tjRluMIGjCU/s1600/637A8801e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7a3PFPPPCs/UPjXVSX_eLI/AAAAAAAAE2A/tjRluMIGjCU/s640/637A8801e.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://elizabethbirdwell.com/">Elizabeth Birdwell Photography)</a></div><br />Sleep will be here soon but before it comes I will write.<br />The weather lately has been beautiful.<br />It makes my heart happy and my soul feel free.<br />I swear the sunshine just scorches off all the icky parts of my days and leaves a sprinkling of happy all over.<br />I could live in a sunny patch of grass.<br />Perhaps I was a cow in another life. Yeah, that sounds about right. Eating, sleeping, giving milk.<br />Yes. He is still nursing. ;0) Got him down to twice a day now though so get off my back!!!<br />JK you can stay there. It means you care. That you haven't given up on me and you're interested. I can't really complain about that now can I?<br />Things this week have been complex. Happy, sad, irritating, busy. Mostly busy. And sunny.<br />Sunny is the very best.<br />I am so happy in my new calling working with the Young Women of the church. They make me laugh. Inspire me to be better. Help me stop taking myself so seriously and just have fun.<br />I have already learned SO much.<br />Thank you Lord.<br />Drew is my favorite lately. (Well, always but lately he is on a really funny kick and that's pretty awesome.)<br />We don't get too much time together with work, school, kids and trying to sleep once in a while but the time we do steal to ourselves makes my heart full.<br />I love living with my best friend.<br />He makes life so very... bearable.<br />Cuz let's face it. So many days life is really, really hard.<br />I am lucky to have his hand to hold when everything is totally screwed up.<br />When I know I'm wrong but am not quite ready to say it out loud.<br />He just hugs me and tells me I'm right.<br />And when I finally do admit it, he'll just hug me and tell me I'm right.<br />I mean there's really not anything better than that is there?<br /><br />M<br /><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-15362578370972213462013-01-04T21:40:00.000-05:002013-01-04T21:40:02.597-05:00four.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RX0mFY8KupY/UOeRCnIwe6I/AAAAAAAAE0w/1lcCAWxC4OM/s1600/565975_10151393233621133_407356005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RX0mFY8KupY/UOeRCnIwe6I/AAAAAAAAE0w/1lcCAWxC4OM/s400/565975_10151393233621133_407356005_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My baby turned four. He is four. He wanted to go to the park and bowling for his big day so naturally we obliged. We had so much fun celebrating as a family of four and being joined by my family in the evening for bowling.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36QXwBzL9Is/UOeRCdZR4RI/AAAAAAAAE0s/Riw4Q4uVV5Q/s1600/565860_10151384491111133_19800979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36QXwBzL9Is/UOeRCdZR4RI/AAAAAAAAE0s/Riw4Q4uVV5Q/s400/565860_10151384491111133_19800979_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcEsd2_z1FY/UOeRD5ak3UI/AAAAAAAAE1A/QpyIa76dfRY/s1600/711658_10151385040741133_836816872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcEsd2_z1FY/UOeRD5ak3UI/AAAAAAAAE1A/QpyIa76dfRY/s400/711658_10151385040741133_836816872_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I held him a little longer than usual at bedtime on his last night of being three. He is growing up so fast and I know the time is soon when he won't want mom lingering in his room at night. He has such a sweetness to him my Miles. There are parts of him that are grown up beyond his years and yet so much of his baby-ness remains.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way he uses an "r" in the word put. "Purt."</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love how he enjoys showing off for me. Today he was riding his big boy bike with no hands. What now!?!?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the way he always negotiates for what he wants. He is a determined little fellow for sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He is a very very special child. He gets easily annoyed with his little brother but completely freaks out if Oliver ever comes anywhere near harms path.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He is an incredibly gifted climber, tumbler and dancer. I won't be surprised at all if he ends up in some kind of performing arts for a time in his life.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">He loves his grandparents. All three sets. He is always excited to see them. Such a blessed little boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you Miles. You are coming out of your bedroom for the thirtieth time tonight so I will wrap this up. You have been my sunshine from the day you were born. I still remember our first night in the hospital. I rubbed your tiny cheek against mine and relished in the softness of your baby skin. I knew then that no child could ever be more perfectly mine. You make my life so so happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLctfzEvo40/UOeRDEWlHlI/AAAAAAAAE00/0y0-n6o8kso/s1600/702903_10151385044021133_1759638162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLctfzEvo40/UOeRDEWlHlI/AAAAAAAAE00/0y0-n6o8kso/s400/702903_10151385044021133_1759638162_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC7_wygh3d8/UOeRDkaGU8I/AAAAAAAAE08/SXJW7q4-US0/s1600/702940_10151385044196133_1877310658_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC7_wygh3d8/UOeRDkaGU8I/AAAAAAAAE08/SXJW7q4-US0/s400/702940_10151385044196133_1877310658_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0ceTJtJDWg/UOeRCmUlW7I/AAAAAAAAE04/yI8kc9qCnw4/s1600/566146_10151385038371133_2094643850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0ceTJtJDWg/UOeRCmUlW7I/AAAAAAAAE04/yI8kc9qCnw4/s400/566146_10151385038371133_2094643850_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsdiu0hgn0Y/UOeQzvIhSYI/AAAAAAAAE0k/ddHPAJ5es-M/s1600/565398_10151385040856133_409330900_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsdiu0hgn0Y/UOeQzvIhSYI/AAAAAAAAE0k/ddHPAJ5es-M/s400/565398_10151385040856133_409330900_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Wondering why he is so joyous and me not so much here? Yeah, he had just farted on me. The boy loves farts like no other. Wow.)</div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-76944954988879022582012-12-17T21:57:00.000-05:002012-12-17T21:57:19.088-05:00stand.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am still reeling from the&nbsp;horrific&nbsp;tragedy that happened in CT last week. I know you are too. It is impossible to keep it from coming to my mind throughout my days. Here with my little ones, and the little ones I care for that belong to other mothers. How are those sweet parents still breathing after losing their babies? How will they ever survive this? Could I if I had to? I have been praying and&nbsp;praying&nbsp;again for the families, as I am sure you have as well. Heavenly Father is bigger than all of this. This scary world filled with evil and hate and people that lose control.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He has His arms around those&nbsp;precious&nbsp;babies right now.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">And they are happy.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">And they are whole.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But we are left here. Left feeling helpless and lost. Completely powerless to turn back time; to stop their innocent lives from being cut brutally short.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are powerless to save those beautiful little ones. But we are not too late to protect others. We must stand together in this battle to safeguard the most precious among us. You are right. Now is not the time for politics. Politics is slow, grinding to a halt at every turn. Now is the time for action.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What will you do to help protect the children?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What will I?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOdkoCPSbAA/UM_bAgXdrZI/AAAAAAAAEz4/KdhIl8aMNZw/s1600/IMG_4327edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOdkoCPSbAA/UM_bAgXdrZI/AAAAAAAAEz4/KdhIl8aMNZw/s400/IMG_4327edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-61236796512091230922012-12-13T12:59:00.003-05:002012-12-13T12:59:24.175-05:00screen shot.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKu77pWUZ7E/UMoSvvwCwOI/AAAAAAAAExw/5SIfGfKByo0/s1600/securedownload.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKu77pWUZ7E/UMoSvvwCwOI/AAAAAAAAExw/5SIfGfKByo0/s400/securedownload.png" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's pretty much the bees knees. One of the best moments of the meeting with the bishop when I received my <a href="http://blimestimes.blogspot.com/2012/12/called.html">new calling</a>&nbsp;was glancing over to Drew just after the Bishop revealed the reason he'd called us in. His eyes were shining with happiness. He has known that I've wanted to work with the youth since we've been married and I could just feel his excitement for me. It was a great moment.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so grateful for the support you offer me in everything I do hunnie. You always build me up and tell me I can. Sometimes you help more than I should probably let you but it is so wonderful to know you always, always have my back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is nothing in this world more important to me than us. The two of us. As long as we're good, everything else is&nbsp;manageable. Even on days when everything sucks.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you and am so grateful for the quiet moments we are able to steal during these years of crazy baby raising, degree seeking, full-time working, you name it we do it, marriage. What are we gonna do someday when things finally do slow down?&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for making me laugh everyday. For fighting for me when I'm worn down. For&nbsp;encouraging&nbsp;me to chase my dreams. For being happy just because I am happy. You are amazing. There is no one I'd rather hold onto when it all falls down.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so blessed to share the journey with you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Bagel</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPSM2oJ-pjI/UMoVqrMF6UI/AAAAAAAAEyc/Jn1458Cywd8/s1600/637A8510e_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPSM2oJ-pjI/UMoVqrMF6UI/AAAAAAAAEyc/Jn1458Cywd8/s640/637A8510e_small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://elizabethbirdwell.com/">elizabethbirdwell.com</a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-33027116456407362882012-12-12T23:22:00.001-05:002012-12-12T23:22:16.247-05:00called.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6586bcF7hak/UMlXCLM1V-I/AAAAAAAAEw8/RAoK_Ezta7M/s1600/IMG_2545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6586bcF7hak/UMlXCLM1V-I/AAAAAAAAEw8/RAoK_Ezta7M/s320/IMG_2545.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Waiting outside the Bishop's office. Wondering what was in store.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday I was blessed and set apart as the first counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. I am humbled, terrified, surprised, but most of all EXCITED!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaE2JGR73rA/UMlXVtJ4oDI/AAAAAAAAExE/IGfQ79djUoc/s1600/IMG_2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaE2JGR73rA/UMlXVtJ4oDI/AAAAAAAAExE/IGfQ79djUoc/s400/IMG_2544.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Just after I accepted. You can't see the shock on my face but trust me, it was there.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so humbled to know that Father trusts me with his&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;daughters. And they are beautiful. I cannot wait to get to know them. The Young Women's program changed my life forever and I have complete faith that it can do the same for the sweet girls I'll be working with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As the priesthood lay their hands on my head, the boys&nbsp;wandered&nbsp;over and watched intently. Miles was very quiet; soaking it all in and Oliver climbed into my lap and just stared. I love that they had the chance to see the priesthood in action.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bishop blessed me with many things I'll keep private but I will mention the blessings of&nbsp;strength&nbsp;and the physical capacity to do what I have to do in this calling. Hmmmm... Should I be prepared for a lot of late nights???&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Either way I am so&nbsp;happy&nbsp; We've already had two presidency meetings and the planning has begun! What an&nbsp;exciting&nbsp;beginning to 2013!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-281760099695323732012-12-01T22:38:00.003-05:002012-12-01T22:38:38.388-05:00mcb.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsc2HinAW0k/ULrMS9gm8XI/AAAAAAAAEuw/K0cAzf-ahfA/s1600/IMG_1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsc2HinAW0k/ULrMS9gm8XI/AAAAAAAAEuw/K0cAzf-ahfA/s400/IMG_1397.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mom, I have to poop.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can come with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't need privacy."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I laughed of course (wouldn't you?) and followed him to the bathroom.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We chatted as he went about his "business" discussing exciting topics like spiders, friends, monster trucks, and of course pooh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxD5rnF8ds4/ULrMPFDCsiI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/gQ_M823gPoE/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxD5rnF8ds4/ULrMPFDCsiI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/gQ_M823gPoE/s400/IMG_1310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span style="text-align: center;">This boy of mine has such a wild heart. He has a strong spirit and an unquenchable determination to fully live every moment of every day. He is listening when I think he's not, learning from observing Drew and I; watching.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Always watching.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Soaking up everything around him and playing it back to me when I least expect it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLHfCPJxp6s/ULrMSF82JDI/AAAAAAAAEuo/XLddIpslx-c/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLHfCPJxp6s/ULrMSF82JDI/AAAAAAAAEuo/XLddIpslx-c/s400/IMG_1391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today he and I were in the front yard planting. After, he decided to run down the hill after Mable. I stayed behind, lying in the grass.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">He'd run a ways,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mom! Can you see me?"&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Yes, baby."</div><div style="text-align: center;">A little farther.</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mom! Can you still see me?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Yes son."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Further still.</div><div style="text-align: center;">"MOM!!! Can! You! See! Me???"</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I can still see you hunnie!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhS2KOy8II4/ULrMRfIclYI/AAAAAAAAEug/aRoJ9Ug_T-I/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhS2KOy8II4/ULrMRfIclYI/AAAAAAAAEug/aRoJ9Ug_T-I/s400/IMG_1343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;He is brave but cautious. I am trying to remember to soak up all the ways he needs me right now. I know it's not long before he is too big for the "hold me mama"'s and "stay just a little longer mom"'s. He will be four this month. My baby is growing up before my eyes.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love his&nbsp;enthusiasm&nbsp;about life. He gets excited easily and is thrilled with the simplest of surprises. My sweet man. I am so blessed to be his mom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few things Miles is especially into these days...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monster trucks. Oh boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anything and everything outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Iron Man.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Music. He LOVES music and dancing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Babies. He really enjoys helping me care for the tiny ones around here.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Adults. He enjoys watching our interactions, mimicking us and learning about the lives of grown-ups.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Construction.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Santa and Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">iPhone games.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Swinging in a blanket.</div><div style="text-align: center;">His grandparents.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweets.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNJnWIrit3Q/ULrMQkpHg6I/AAAAAAAAEuY/m0_GN2ma-Qo/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNJnWIrit3Q/ULrMQkpHg6I/AAAAAAAAEuY/m0_GN2ma-Qo/s400/IMG_1313.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so proud of the sweet little boy I have. And I can't wait to watch him become an amazing young man.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-924758054884682452012-11-28T13:11:00.000-05:002012-11-28T13:11:01.655-05:00all in a days work.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8am</div><div style="text-align: center;">Breakfast and monster trucks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPb7SdradyU/ULZM0QHSPrI/AAAAAAAAErg/-sMacR7RI5Y/s1600/702781_10151336143301133_1720206814_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPb7SdradyU/ULZM0QHSPrI/AAAAAAAAErg/-sMacR7RI5Y/s1600/702781_10151336143301133_1720206814_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPb7SdradyU/ULZM0QHSPrI/AAAAAAAAErg/-sMacR7RI5Y/s320/702781_10151336143301133_1720206814_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeymzsKyCq4/ULZMyAgVcsI/AAAAAAAAErE/efRGMWjg-AY/s1600/565935_10151336143486133_115222511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeymzsKyCq4/ULZMyAgVcsI/AAAAAAAAErE/efRGMWjg-AY/s320/565935_10151336143486133_115222511_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Greetings and showing off the tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr8ppizNM70/ULZMwpz_mkI/AAAAAAAAEq4/fUXoHqHtY8I/s1600/565742_10151336143566133_1748395920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr8ppizNM70/ULZMwpz_mkI/AAAAAAAAEq4/fUXoHqHtY8I/s320/565742_10151336143566133_1748395920_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHY0dHmEsr4/ULZMy47K7cI/AAAAAAAAErM/zXKXg7MhSWo/s1600/702100_10151336143661133_1088351178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHY0dHmEsr4/ULZMy47K7cI/AAAAAAAAErM/zXKXg7MhSWo/s320/702100_10151336143661133_1088351178_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;Books with Wendy Bear and playing Baby Jesus with Dany.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv-byN-O3tg/ULZMzr0M0TI/AAAAAAAAErY/-TTSTw-G4Oo/s1600/702148_10151336143841133_1005814594_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yv-byN-O3tg/ULZMzr0M0TI/AAAAAAAAErY/-TTSTw-G4Oo/s320/702148_10151336143841133_1005814594_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqoiONxat6Q/ULZMxPZ0jSI/AAAAAAAAErA/5idVbIigdmE/s1600/565815_10151336143746133_1264985067_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqoiONxat6Q/ULZMxPZ0jSI/AAAAAAAAErA/5idVbIigdmE/s320/565815_10151336143746133_1264985067_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Artwork and breaking ornaments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgNdI917LNk/ULZNtk643iI/AAAAAAAAEro/qvdL5k3447A/s1600/565910_10151336143951133_2043198872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgNdI917LNk/ULZNtk643iI/AAAAAAAAEro/qvdL5k3447A/s320/565910_10151336143951133_2043198872_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIO9MlXnAjg/ULZNuk9dtPI/AAAAAAAAErw/ddP8YzsarxE/s1600/702424_10151336144051133_1538005868_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIO9MlXnAjg/ULZNuk9dtPI/AAAAAAAAErw/ddP8YzsarxE/s320/702424_10151336144051133_1538005868_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Settling down for nap/quiet time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHkpJBe7tqQ/ULZOBhnG8QI/AAAAAAAAEr4/SGbfnPgGmxQ/s1600/702994_10151336144081133_1532381969_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHkpJBe7tqQ/ULZOBhnG8QI/AAAAAAAAEr4/SGbfnPgGmxQ/s400/702994_10151336144081133_1532381969_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crashing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcvsovaUbd4/ULZONWCDGBI/AAAAAAAAEsA/ypG4ytuoPo8/s1600/565878_10151336629506133_10377379_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcvsovaUbd4/ULZONWCDGBI/AAAAAAAAEsA/ypG4ytuoPo8/s320/565878_10151336629506133_10377379_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Legos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RA0vnMAuwlA/ULZOYBa6bAI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/xAb8VXhScnA/s1600/565462_10151336629641133_2124072898_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RA0vnMAuwlA/ULZOYBa6bAI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/xAb8VXhScnA/s320/565462_10151336629641133_2124072898_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another drink and hoops with a pal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QXaQsVMqark/ULZOd6Eo_dI/AAAAAAAAEsY/vJApsqS6l80/s1600/565241_10151336497031133_687135863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QXaQsVMqark/ULZOd6Eo_dI/AAAAAAAAEsY/vJApsqS6l80/s320/565241_10151336497031133_687135863_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsU50eUSJPg/ULZOeT8IZgI/AAAAAAAAEsc/PVn_WD11KIQ/s1600/565691_10151336629441133_1329174075_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsU50eUSJPg/ULZOeT8IZgI/AAAAAAAAEsc/PVn_WD11KIQ/s320/565691_10151336629441133_1329174075_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adventures in free play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYxUvNOhmf0/ULZOtzPDe6I/AAAAAAAAEso/yrYgIhL0PlI/s1600/566376_10151336630206133_831963082_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYxUvNOhmf0/ULZOtzPDe6I/AAAAAAAAEso/yrYgIhL0PlI/s320/566376_10151336630206133_831963082_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Super heros and... you guessed it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MerC-27kd98/ULZO01OujvI/AAAAAAAAEsw/RaYnqxrscIM/s1600/702216_10151336630301133_654276754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MerC-27kd98/ULZO01OujvI/AAAAAAAAEsw/RaYnqxrscIM/s320/702216_10151336630301133_654276754_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pnoMdOtPIug/ULZRnvil62I/AAAAAAAAEtg/ASf9yqBhrws/s1600/566052_10151336496841133_150801823_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pnoMdOtPIug/ULZRnvil62I/AAAAAAAAEtg/ASf9yqBhrws/s320/566052_10151336496841133_150801823_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6pm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ready to go to the Sprint store for mom's new phone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3g13HG5H80/ULZO80_uWVI/AAAAAAAAEs4/G4AZXohGRcs/s1600/566281_10151336664866133_494010683_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3g13HG5H80/ULZO80_uWVI/AAAAAAAAEs4/G4AZXohGRcs/s320/566281_10151336664866133_494010683_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not pictured...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7pm- Running wildly through the Sprint store</div><div style="text-align: center;">8pm- Eating (ahem) chicken nuggets and fries.</div><div style="text-align: center;">9pm- Finally headed to bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whew.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-63541245668648890802012-11-25T23:25:00.000-05:002012-11-25T23:25:34.380-05:00when sunday nap ends at 5pm...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZBrU-M-mlw/ULLsm-B1PyI/AAAAAAAAEmk/t6t8yLSPasw/s1600/565901_10151329415896133_1517859933_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZBrU-M-mlw/ULLsm-B1PyI/AAAAAAAAEmk/t6t8yLSPasw/s640/565901_10151329415896133_1517859933_n.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This break has been wonderful.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, so good.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It sorta makes me wish we didn't have to go back to real life tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I know myself.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I need the constancy and structure of a schedule holding my feet to the ground and keeping my mind busy with teaching, planning and sorting out which adventure comes next with 6 littles around.</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;OCD. It loves an idle mind.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Owning a home daycare keeps the mind occupied and then some.</div><div style="text-align: center;">School helps too.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then there are my own two cutie pies.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh and that darling husband of mine. Can't forget him. ;0)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AlHI6BFOss/ULLsnoBOZDI/AAAAAAAAEmw/Sxit9J_IeVM/s1600/565942_10151330470511133_1005202905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AlHI6BFOss/ULLsnoBOZDI/AAAAAAAAEmw/Sxit9J_IeVM/s400/565942_10151330470511133_1005202905_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(We spent some time exploring our&nbsp;neighborhood.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back to how amazing this weekend has been...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Drew's turkey was fantastic. It was moist, flavorful and I probably ate like 5 lbs of it myself. Sadly, I ran out of leftovers yesterday.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The chocolate cake was rich. Very rich. And it turned out a little lopsided. And Oliver smashed my iPhone to bits (inside it's Life Proof case) while I was frosting it. The guy at the Sprint store was convinced I had run it over with the car. he has never seen such damage inside the case.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow. Ollie. Wow.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">But all is well. Everyone enjoyed the cake and a replacement phone is on it's way. Along with a new Life Proof case.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBKCMN5Q3Zg/ULLso17iFbI/AAAAAAAAEm4/-x2Lbm-_0Ic/s1600/566110_10151335469516133_207269855_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBKCMN5Q3Zg/ULLso17iFbI/AAAAAAAAEm4/-x2Lbm-_0Ic/s400/566110_10151335469516133_207269855_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Both kiddos sleeping in the same room. Makes me very happy.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We put up the Christmas tree on black friday. The children love it. The bottom half of it is almost completely undecorated. I am trying to relax about it and remember that they will only be tiny for a little bit. I have years and years to create the perfect Christmas tree but only a couple of Christmases with my little babies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLx77nZEJoM/ULLsqaQTv0I/AAAAAAAAEnE/5wXotAZkYTw/s1600/702696_10151335338456133_1839833743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLx77nZEJoM/ULLsqaQTv0I/AAAAAAAAEnE/5wXotAZkYTw/s640/702696_10151335338456133_1839833743_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We decided to forgo the black friday sales and have friends over for pizza and games instead. I heart making new friends. It's SO much fun getting to learn what you have in common and what interesting differences there are to explore. One of my favorite parts of living in a college town is that there are always new friends arriving with each new semester. On the other hand, they often move away when they find jobs after graduation but such is life. Distance doesn't determine friendships for me. I kinda LOVE talking on the phone. And don't even get me started on skype!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE2TJtmG3Fk/ULLspmzx4dI/AAAAAAAAEnA/5Mdr3CXW4_g/s1600/702533_10151330217711133_1701380149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE2TJtmG3Fk/ULLspmzx4dI/AAAAAAAAEnA/5Mdr3CXW4_g/s640/702533_10151330217711133_1701380149_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(My guys enjoying silly youtube clips.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday Drew indulged in the bittersweet finality of the last regular season football Saturday. Sadly, the Noles lost but they are assured a bowl game as well as the ACC&nbsp;championship&nbsp;game so it's not the end quite yet. The boys and I entertained ourselves with errands, homework and naps.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mJXx_NjE18/ULLsmuTvYAI/AAAAAAAAEmg/XjBQ_Dry5Os/s1600/381829_10151311635751133_1221551538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mJXx_NjE18/ULLsmuTvYAI/AAAAAAAAEmg/XjBQ_Dry5Os/s640/381829_10151311635751133_1221551538_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Some of the sweet little faces I get to see tomorrow!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes. It was a really great weekend. I am now exactly 8 hours away from the start of my work week and I should either be sleeping or starting a paper on violence, poverty and racism. Yes, it is a big paper. And yes, the subject matter is sad and very hard to research. I don't like some of what I am learning about the workings of the world. But I am becoming empowered to help change it and that is good.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Off to begin...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div>Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225635268535967175.post-30744744965041937482012-11-21T21:40:00.000-05:002012-11-21T21:40:03.384-05:00today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRr1MDkrrW0/UK2PfHmUwAI/AAAAAAAAEl4/Q3ZkKWQXOic/s1600/637A8656e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRr1MDkrrW0/UK2PfHmUwAI/AAAAAAAAEl4/Q3ZkKWQXOic/s640/637A8656e.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://elizabethbirdwell.com/">Elizabeth Birdwell Photography</a> gorgeousness</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My 4 day weekend turned into a five day weekend and it is kinda the best thing ever.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">I. Love. Weekends.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even with term papers and final exams looming I can't help but look forward to a few days of uninterrupted time with my hubby and kiddos.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are so many things that I am grateful for.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am truly more blessed than I deserve.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This morning Oliver, Miles and I celebrated our unexpected day off with a bike ride around the neighborhood. They were so adorable bundled up and holding each other close in the bike trailer. We even spotted a sweet spot for exploring later on when Brother wakes from his nap.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We came home from our walk and Miles learned how to fold laundry. He decided he wants to do chores now so that he can have money of his own. He says he will keep his room clean and help tidy the toys after play.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">....7 hours later....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miles helped me bake a chocolate cake. Pray for me when it comes time to frost the monster. He also assisted Drew with the prepping of the first ever Blimes Family Turkey. My husband hates turkey and has challenged himself to prepare one that is up to his standards. There will be much, much butter involved. I'll keep you posted.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We just finished this weeks Survivor and now I'm faced with the decision between watching more tv with the hubbs (what I really want to do) or doing homework (which I really need to do.) Also, I'd love some sleep. Hmmm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miles is still up. We put him to bed about 22 times tonight and none of them took. Finally I gave up and he watched Survivor and now basketball with us. I really don't feel like fighting him to sleep tonight. Some nights it's just easier to let him fall out wherever he lands when his little lids can no longer stay open.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, just wanted to finish off this post so it didn't become yet another "draft" in the growing collection.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thanksgiving!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">M</div><br /><br />Mrs. Blimeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052642841712667134noreply@blogger.com0